Las Vegas — UFC women’s bantamweight contender and former two-time PFL champ Kayla Harrison was on hand for Thursday’s UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, and spoke about fellow American Top Team star Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who was inducted on the night.
Jedrzejczyk became known as Joanna Champion during her record-setting run as the UFC’s longest-serving strawweight champ, and Harrison had only good things to say about her.
“Joanna was one of the first people I met when I walked in the door at ATT. To watch her career, to watch her journey, to watch how she carries herself on and off the mat, what a champion she is, what a champion for women she is— it’s been incredible to witness, and I’m just so proud of her and proud to be here tonight to honor her.”
Speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press, Harrison confirmed that she’ll likely be fighting once more before a potential shot arrives. When a fall date for champ Raquel Pennington and rival Juliana Pena was mentioned, Harrison responded by saying “that’s what I heard too.”
Who does Kayla Harrison fight next, with that in mind? “That’s above my paygrade, my friend,” Harrison joked when asked about who’s next for her, in lieu of a title fight. “I know that they have a good plan for me. I believe in this company, I believe in their vision, and if they need me to smash another skull before I smash one of their [Pena and Pennington’s] skulls, that’s fine.”
Whoever it comes against — Harrison noted that she’d even be open to facing Ailin Perez, though she didn’t know what to make of the Argentinian bantamweight’s twerking — it’s clear the Olympian doesn’t want to wait long. “Hopefully soon. I’m ready,” she stated.
She’s also down to fight on the same card as the next women’s bantamweight title fight. “I would love that. I think that’s a good call, just in case one of those gets nervous.”
Watch the full media scrum with Kayla Harrison at the 2024 UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony above.
